diff --git a/tools/patman/tout.py b/tools/patman/tout.py
index 4cd49e1..4957c7a 100644
--- a/tools/patman/tout.py
+++ b/tools/patman/tout.py
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ NOTICE = 2
 INFO = 3
 DEBUG = 4
 
+in_progress = False
+
 """
 This class handles output of progress and other useful information
 to the user. It provides for simple verbosity level control and can
@@ -48,9 +50,11 @@ def UserIsPresent():
 
 def ClearProgress():
     """Clear any active progress message on the terminal."""
-    if verbose > 0 and stdout_is_tty:
+    global in_progress
+    if verbose > 0 and stdout_is_tty and in_progress:
         _stdout.write('\r%s\r' % (" " * len (_progress)))
         _stdout.flush()
+        in_progress = False
 
 def Progress(msg, warning=False, trailer='...'):
     """Display progress information.
@@ -58,6 +62,7 @@ def Progress(msg, warning=False, trailer='...'):
     Args:
         msg: Message to display.
         warning: True if this is a warning."""
+    global in_progress
     ClearProgress()
     if verbose > 0:
         _progress = msg + trailer
@@ -65,6 +70,7 @@ def Progress(msg, warning=False, trailer='...'):
             col = _color.YELLOW if warning else _color.GREEN
             _stdout.write('\r' + _color.Color(col, _progress))
             _stdout.flush()
+            in_progress = True
         else:
             _stdout.write(_progress + '\n')